logo
Hesaraghatta grasslands will remain untouched

Hesaraghatta grasslands will remain untouched

The Hindu02-05-2025

The large 5,678-acre grasslands in Hesaraghatta are finally under protection from encroachment and development. The Government of Karnataka issued the final notification of the Greater Hesaraghatta Grassland Conservation Reserve recently while conservationists and those who have been crying hoarse to save the city's remaining green areas heaved a sigh of relief.
The grassland region in Hesaraghatta forms a unique ecosystem close to Bengaluru and supports numerous species of flora and fauna, many of which are endangered. This area is a large carbon sink for Bengaluru and can be a powerful tool to mitigate climate change and counter the rapid concretisation of the city. Conserving the grasslands helps to mitigate the impacts of global warming.
The landscape surrounding the lakebed is the last remaining grassland habitat in the Bengaluru region and supports unique biodiversity. Hence, protecting the habitat by creating a conservation reserve for endangered wildlife species in surrounding areas was the need of the hour.
'A living lab'
Dr. K.S. Seshadri, Fellow in Residence at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) in the city, has been associated with the conservation efforts since 2012, when he wrote a report with his colleagues on the need to conserve the grasslands and its rich biodiversity.
'Though it took twenty years, the process has seen the willingness of government officials and citizens to work for the environment in a positive effort,' Dr. Seshadri said. 'Protecting this savanna grassland and wetland ecosystem will give us a lung space that plays a critical role in water security, sustain the rich biodiversity that it supports in the form of wildlife — animals, birds, insects, butterflies, birds and amphibians — and it can become a living lab for researchers to study larger issues of climate change.'
The region that has been included under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 includes the Hesaraghatta Lake while the grasslands in the surrounding catchment area are an important reservoir of biodiversity. A survey by Subramanya S. of the Karnataka Biodiversity Board found in it a refuge for endangered wildlife species such as leopards, slender lorises, jackals, Indian foxes, smooth coated otters, wild pigs, common mongooses, black naped hares, Indian mole rats, and Indian field mice. In addition, seven different species of snakes have also been observed in the grasslands.
The grasslands are also home to more than 285 species of birds, including the critically endangered lesser florican (Sypheotides indicus), 13 species of amphibians, and 111 species of butterflies, including the lilac silverline (Apharitis lilacinus) butterfly, which was sighted after a century in Bengaluru and that too only in the Hesaraghatta grasslands. Some 395 species of other insect species have been recorded as well.
The Hesaraghatta landscape is a site for several wintering migrants from Europe, Central Asia, and the Himalayas, including several species of raptors. One of these migratory birds is the greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga) and the globally threatened red-necked falcon (Falco chicquera), which the IUCN Red List has classified as being 'vulnerable to extinction'.
Surmounting snags
The grasslands are a catchment area for reviving groundwater levels, which benefit groundwater recharge and will improve the groundwater table, which would in turn benefit thousands of farmers in the surrounding villages. It also acts as a sponge to soak up monsoon runoff.
This is a large catchment of the Arkavathy River and Thippagondanahalli reservoir and also for the nearby Hesaraghatta lake and reservoir. The area's ecosystem services in this regard will improve the water security of Bengaluru and help fulfill many sustainable development goals. The grasslands also provide freshwater in the region for migratory birds.
The process of declaring the land as conserved had hit many snags, including opposition by local politicians and people vested in the area's development for real estate.
N. Ravindra Kumar, the deputy conservator of forests, Bangalore Urban Division, said, 'The forest department always agreed to the proposal of declaring the grasslands as conserved. Thanks to the efforts of our Forest Minister Eshvar Khandre, many public citizens, and our chief minister, we have succeeded. The notification sets a precedent for such conservation efforts of almost 6,000 acres of government land so near the city, [and] the grasslands are the lungs and a much-needed open space amidst the concrete jungle.'
Jagadish Krishnaswamy, Dean of the School of Environment and Sustainability at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, Bengaluru, said, 'The conservation and restoration of the Hesaraghatta grasslands is very important for the city of Bengaluru. It is the first mega-city in India with a protected grassland with many species of birds, mammals, and insects that need grassland. Grasslands are threatened and being converted to other land use all over India.'
Papiya Bhattacharya is a freelance journalist.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

IOSR brings out technical glossary for engineering education in Odia
IOSR brings out technical glossary for engineering education in Odia

New Indian Express

time43 minutes ago

  • New Indian Express

IOSR brings out technical glossary for engineering education in Odia

BHUBANESWAR: The Bhubaneswar-based Institute of Odia Studies & Research (IOSR) has prepared a glossary of 54,000 technical words in Odia which will be used in engineering education in the language. The first-of-its-kind glossary in a regional Indian language has been approved by the AICTE recently. Director of AICTE Sunil Kumar Luthra said the glossary would serve as a model for other states and would soon be uploaded to the e-Kumbh portal of AICTE from where students can download it. Odia researcher and chief coordinator of the translation initiative Subrat Prusty said most of the technical words used in engineering are of English, German, French and Latin origin and finding their regional translation is a difficult process. 'For example, the Hindi translation of computer is 'sanganak' and a few Odia students have started using it even if it is not an Odia word. This is why we have created a glossary of technical words which remain the same in both English and Odia languages, for easy understanding of the students. So, a computer will be written as computer in the Odia engineering book. In the absence of such a glossary, students usually use whatever translated words they pick up from search engines, which is wrong,' he said.

'Sky Is Not The Limit': Lucknow Celebrates As Shubhanshu Shukla Prepares To Script Space History
'Sky Is Not The Limit': Lucknow Celebrates As Shubhanshu Shukla Prepares To Script Space History

News18

time43 minutes ago

  • News18

'Sky Is Not The Limit': Lucknow Celebrates As Shubhanshu Shukla Prepares To Script Space History

Last Updated: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma and the first to dock with the International Space Station (ISS). As the final countdown begins at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, nearly 12,500 miles away, the narrow lanes of Lucknow's Aliganj locality are brimming with colour, pride, and prayers. The air at the house of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, set to visit the International Space Station (ISS), is electric. His house is wrapped in the Indian tricolour, its facade decked with larger-than-life posters, banners, and a life-size cutout of the astronaut himself. With every second ticking closer to his historic flight aboard the Axiom-4 mission, the family has turned to devotion — organising a Satyanarayan Katha, while neighbours light lamps and whisper silent prayers for his safe journey to the stars and back. Though the mission was initially scheduled for June 10, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has now confirmed that the launch has been rescheduled to June 11 due to technical and scheduling adjustments. Shubhanshu will now fly to space on Wednesday evening, bringing him one step closer to achieving the childhood dream he once shared with his family — of 'roaming among the stars." A Neighbourhood in Celebration Back home in Lucknow, this delay hasn't dampened the festive spirit. Neighbours and well-wishers have been arriving with flowers, offerings, and heartfelt wishes. His sisters personally arranged posters and banners bearing Shubhanshu's image and patriotic quotes. From rooftop to roadside, Aliganj looks like it's hosting its very own festival of the cosmos. Streets are strung with flags, children walk around with 'We are proud of you, Shubhanshu" badges, and the 20-feet hoardings flutter with patriotic slogans. Thematically styled in saffron, white, green, and Air Force blue, every corner echoes with emotion and excitement. Cutouts read, 'ALL THE BEST, GROUP CAPTAIN SHUX" and 'Shubhanshu Shukla Creates History." For the locals, it's not just a space mission — it's a neighbourhood's dream soaring into orbit. Beneath the celebration lies deep sentiment. 'He is not just a pilot going to space, he is our boy from the next lane," says a local shopkeeper. Children, when asked who Shubhanshu is, respond with pride, 'He's the one going to space tomorrow — and he's from our mohalla!" Prayers and Promises Inside the Shukla household, the atmosphere is more spiritual than celebratory. Shubhanshu's family has performed the Satyanarayan Katha, a traditional Hindu ritual for auspicious beginnings. His mother, visibly emotional, sat through the prayers holding a framed photo of her son in his flight suit. His sisters have adorned the home with cutouts, lights, and garlands, while neighbours have committed to holding special prayer gatherings on both June 10 and 11. 'This is not just a mission; it is the culmination of a child's lifelong dream," says Shubhanshu's elder sister, Shuchi Mishra. 'He would often say, 'One day I'll roam among the stars.' Now, that boy is about to do exactly that." India's Man in Space – Again Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma and the first to dock with the International Space Station (ISS). He is also the pilot of the prestigious Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) — a private mission conducted by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX. The mission is now scheduled for launch on June 11, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center. The spacecraft — the Dragon capsule — will ferry four astronauts representing India, the US, Poland, and Hungary. A Mission Beyond Borders Shubhanshu is joined by Hungary's Tibor Kapu, Poland's Slawosz Uznanski, and American astronaut Peggy Whitson. All four are part of the 14-day research mission designed to carry out critical experiments in microgravity, including seven Indian scientific payloads and five from NASA. These studies will aid India's upcoming Gaganyaan program and contribute to global research in medicine, material science, and space technology. A Decorated Pilot's Journey Hailing from a modest background in Lucknow, Shubhanshu's academic journey began at City Montessori School in Aliganj. He later cleared the highly competitive NDA entrance exam and graduated from the National Defence Academy, which trains cadets for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Commissioned into the Indian Air Force on June 17, 2006, he rose through the ranks to become a Group Captain and a fighter test pilot. Over the years, he has logged more than 2,000 flying hours, commanding aircraft like the Sukhoi-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32. His technical excellence, composure, and passion for aviation made him an ideal candidate for Ax-4. In his rehearsal on Sunday, wearing the full astronaut suit, Shubhanshu was seen following the launch protocols at the Kennedy Space Center. After the simulation, he remarked, 'It's been an incredible journey. These moments remind you that you're becoming part of something much bigger than yourself. I just feel grateful." Axiom and the New Frontier The Ax-4 mission is part of Axiom Space's broader vision to establish the world's first private commercial space station. Building on the success of its previous missions launched in April 2022, May 2023, and January 2024, this fourth mission marks another leap forward in the realm of commercial human spaceflight and international space cooperation. The scientific objectives of Ax-4 encompass a wide spectrum, including microgravity research across multiple disciplines, technology demonstrations in low-Earth orbit, the promotion of space education and public awareness, and the strengthening of multinational partnerships in space exploration. The International Space Station (ISS), where the Ax-4 crew will conduct their experiments, orbits the Earth at a speed of 28,000 km/h and completes a revolution every 90 minutes. This unique environment provides an unparalleled platform for research, and the findings from this mission are expected to significantly contribute to the future of both Indian and global space programs. A City's Pride, A Nation's Moment As the engines of Falcon 9 ignite and the rocket climbs into the sky, it will carry more than astronauts and experiments — it will carry the hopes of a family, the prayers of a neighbourhood, and the pride of a nation. Shubhanshu Shukla's journey from a quiet boy in Lucknow to the threshold of the stars is a reminder that no dream is too distant. As one banner in his lane says: 'We are proud of you, Shubhanshu. The sky is not the limit." Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : International Space Station nasa space mission Location : Lucknow, India, India First Published: June 10, 2025, 13:05 IST News india 'Sky Is Not The Limit': Lucknow Celebrates As Shubhanshu Shukla Prepares To Script Space History

Air Force chief speaks to Gp. Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla ahead of space launch
Air Force chief speaks to Gp. Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla ahead of space launch

India Today

timean hour ago

  • India Today

Air Force chief speaks to Gp. Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla ahead of space launch

In a momentous event for India's space ambitions, the Chief of the Air Staff, along with all Air Warriors of the Indian Air Force (IAF), has extended heartfelt best wishes to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he prepares for his journey to space aboard the Axiom-4 IAF conveyed its support and pride in an official post on X, highlighting the significance of this mission for the Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to embark on the Axiom-4 space mission tomorrow, Chief of the Air Staff and all Air Warriors of IAF wish him and the entire crew of Axiom-4 all the best for a safe and successful trip to the International Space Station. This will add a new chapter to the Indian Space Odyssey,' the post Group Captain Shubahanshu Shukla prepares to embark on Axiom-4 space mission tomorrow, Chief of the Air Staff and all Air Warriors of IAF wish him and the entire crew of Axiom-4 all the best for a safe and successful trip to the International Space Station. This will add a new Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 10, 2025 Group Captain Shukla's participation in the Axiom-4 mission marks a landmark achievement, not only for the Indian Air Force but for the country's broader aspirations in space journey shows the increasing collaboration between military and civilian space sectors, reflecting India's growing footprint on the global stage of Axiom-4 mission, scheduled for launch tomorrow, will see a diverse crew traveling to the International Space Station (ISS), where they will conduct scientific experiments and contribute to international research India, this mission is symbolic of its rising capabilities and ambitions in space, aligning with the nation's goals to expand its presence beyond Earth's atmosphere. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla with the Ax-4 crew. (Photo: Axiom Space) The support from the IAF leadership and personnel highlights the unity and enthusiasm within India's defense community for space is worth mentioning that while Isro has selected the astronauts from the Indian Air Force for the Gaganyaan Mission, it is working with the Navy to develop procedures to recover them from the sea post Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares for this historic voyage, the nation watches with pride and anticipation, eager to witness the next chapter in the Indian Space Watch

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store